OK, bring on the worms

Worms are the future. At least that's what Randy White, founder of the Portland-based online social networking tool Bright Neighbor is saying.

He wants to create a profitable and vibrant vermicomposting collective owned by Portlanders. Investors who give $250 a share to help build the business will get a return on that investment, White said. Worms multiply quickly and their castings are excellent for soil.

So while investors make money, White contends, Portland will get richer soil and better food from its gardens.

Mayor Sam Adams, an avid gardener, has already signed on and bought a share.

"Randy White does a lot of good work," said Roy Kaufmann, the mayor's communications director. "We want to encourage people to do new things and push the envelope on sustainability. . . If it's something that catches on, it's one more way we can spread the sustainability movement around."

To White, a collective worm farm that helps bolster the region's food supply makes sense, considering the rocky economy and climate change. He sees restaurants having to pay to haul their food waste away. Why do that when worm farmers will pick it up for free?

His vision is to establish a small farm in each of Portland's 95 neighborhoods. Eventually, he dreams of having an industrial worm farm somewhere in Southeast Portland.

He also wants people to plant fruit trees both for food and carbon sequestration. If you want to hear more about worms and fruit trees and White's "Radical Plan for Portland's Independence" you can attend a community rally at the First Unitarian Church, 1011 SW 12th Ave. in Portland on Jan. 28 from 7-9 p.m.